Dunedin secondhand bookshops & op shops with books
Ōtepoti Dunedin has arguably the strongest secondhand book scene in the country for its size: a warehouse-scale antiquarian dealer on Dowling Street, a film-set literary shop on Princes Street, two old-fashioned book exchanges, a multi-room bookshop in Port Chalmers, and a hospice bookshop with a $1 room.
This guide lists only places we could verify as currently trading and selling books, with sources on every listing. Op shops are included where books are an official or well-documented part of the stock.
5 dedicated bookshops · 6 op shops with books · updated 2026-11-01
Jump to: Dunedin · Port Chalmers · Mosgiel · Crawl guide · FAQ
Dunedin — secondhand books & op shops
Dedicated bookshops
Hard to Find Books Dunedin
Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Dedicated bookshopDead Souls Bookshop
Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Dedicated bookshopDowntown Book Exchange
Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Dedicated bookshopZodiac Records & Books (Book Exchange)
South Dunedin, Dunedin
Op shops & charity stores with books
Vogel St Hospice Shop & Bookshop
Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Op shop with booksHabitat Op Shop Dunedin
Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Op shop with booksRed Cross Shop Dunedin
Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Op shop with booksSalvation Army Family Store — Dunedin City
Dunedin Central, Dunedin
Op shop with booksSalvation Army Family Store — Dunedin North
North East Valley, Dunedin
Port Chalmers — secondhand books & op shops
Dedicated bookshops
Mosgiel — secondhand books & op shops
Op shops & charity stores with books
Dunedin bookshop crawl guide
Central city on foot (half a day): start at Hard to Find Books on Dowling Street (open seven days) and allow at least an hour. Walk south along Princes Street to Dead Souls at 393 — check it’s open first — then the Downtown Book Exchange at 426 for cheap reading copies, finishing at the Salvation Army City Family Store at 557.
Warehouse precinct (an hour or two): the Vogel St Hospice Shop’s downstairs bookshop (enter via the Bargain Basement or Cumberland Street) sits a few metres from Habitat’s Op Shop on Gordon Street, and the Red Cross Shop on Bond Street is a short walk away. This is the bargain loop — most books under $5.
South Dunedin and the harbour: Zodiac on King Edward Street is a weekday or Saturday-morning stop (bring cash). Arcadia Books in Port Chalmers keeps afternoon hours, typically Wednesday to Sunday — make it the destination of a harbour drive. Once a year the Regent 24 Hour Book Sale (in 2024 held at a different venue and not 24 hours, per The Spinoff) sells $1 books — watch local news for dates.
FAQ
What is the best secondhand bookshop in Dunedin?
The Spinoff’s Dunedin roundup ranked Hard to Find Books on Dowling Street first for range and value, Dead Souls on Princes Street second for rare and beautiful editions, and the Vogel St Hospice Shop’s downstairs bookshop third for bargains.
Where can I buy cheap used books in Dunedin?
The Vogel St Hospice bookshop (most books under $5, with a $1 room), the Downtown and Zodiac book exchanges (around $5 or a small exchange fee), and Salvation Army, Habitat and Red Cross op shops.
Is there a secondhand bookshop in Port Chalmers?
Yes — Arcadia Books at 27 George Street. It usually opens afternoons Wednesday to Sunday and is cash only, so call ahead.
Can I sell books in Dunedin?
Hard to Find Books buys secondhand and antiquarian books and whole collections; call or email first. The Downtown and Zodiac exchanges give credit for books traded in.
Not listed (closed, unverified or no books)
- Salvation Army Family Store — South Dunedin — appears in older directories but is not on the Salvation Army’s current store locator; not listed until confirmed.
- SPCA Op Shop Dunedin (North East Valley) — open, but we could not verify books as a stock line.
- Hospice Shop Mosgiel — open, but book stock not evidenced in sources checked.
- St Vincent de Paul (George St and South Dunedin) — open; official page lists clothing, bric-a-brac and electronics but not books.
- University Book Shop and Paper Plus — new-book retailers, outside this directory’s secondhand focus.